All of these great films are based on a true story or adaptations of even better stories. For every mood, occasion, and experience, check out these five movies. 

If you want excitement and emotion with a hint of crime, watch: Catch Me If You Can (2002) directed by Steven Spielberg. This movie tells the story of Frank Abagnale Jr., (Leonardo Dicaprio) an extraordinary con artist, tracked down by FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) across borders. With a great supporting cast of Amy Adams, Christopher Walken, and Martin Sheen, it is fun and entertaining.

If you want lessons on family, mental health struggles, and an oddball love story watch Silver Linings Playbook (2012) directed by David O Russell. Starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Robert DeNiro, there is so much to learn and love from this movie. Cooper’s character Pat comes out of a mental institution and has to face his marital and familial struggles. There’s dancing and football, what’s not to love? 

If you want a classic love story with a flamboyant and contemporary style watch: Romeo + Juliet (1996) directed by Baz Luhrmann. I first watched this in my ninth grade English class and it still brings me great comfort. You get to see a wonderful pre-Titanic Leonardo DiCaprio alongside the beautiful Claire Danes perform the scenes with accurate Shakespearean dialogue. Luhrmann is successful in making the story understandable, exciting and colorful, and provides a masterclass in fun and accessible postmodernism. 

If you want a tense, engaging, and vibrant movie watch: Do the Right Thing (1989) directed by Spike Lee. Many believe that issues of race can only be discussed through oppression and enslavement, but this story tackles these problems and shows them in a new light. Taking place over the course of one hot summer day, Lee showcases both the loves and hates of being a part of a neighborhood. Spike Lee, Danny Aiello, Giancarlo Esposito, and Jon Turturro among many other stars work great as an ensemble, making this a necessary movie.  

If you want a magnetizing, informative, and brilliant movie watch: Steve Jobs (2015) directed by Danny Boyle. Written by the titan Aaron Sorkin, there is no one else I could have imagined to make 1998 with the unveiling of the iMac so interesting. With an Oscar-nominated performance from the criminally underrated Micheal Fassbender, I will fight to the end that he deserved to win. With great counterparts like Jeff Daniels, Kate Winslet, and Micheal Stuhlbag, you become instantly mesmerized by the story of Apple. This movie unveils the struggles Jobs overcame and ignored both as an innovator and a father. 

Beyond Honorable Mentions:

Vice (2018) directed by Adam McKay

Crazy, Stupid Love (2011) directed by Glenn Ficarra, John Requa

Coraline (2009) directed by Henry Selick

I, Tonya (2017) directed by Craig Gillespie

The Farewell directed by Lulu Wang